Security at the U2 concerts in Croke Park next month will be so tight that even the GAA's museum will have to be closed down for the three dates.

As the band's 360 Degree Tour kicks off in the Nou Camp in Barcelona on June 30, it has emerged that extra security has been brought in by the U2 organisation.

During their last tour the band were plagued with fans trying to pilfer trinkets from their private backstage compound.

It was reported last week that the band, who wowed their Irish fans during their gig at Croke Park in 2005, have become so fed up with the invasion of privacy that they have asked for increased security this time round.

Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna confirmed that the GAA museum would be closed for the band's eagerly anticipated dates in Dublin.

He said a factor that needed to be considered was the proximity of patrons who wanted to visit the museum and the large number of vehicles involved in the U2 concerts. “There is a health and safety element to the decision,” he said.

U2 will rock Croke Park on July 24, 25 and 27.

The U2 360 Tour has now sold an amazing 2.5 million tickets throughout Europe and North America since the tour was announced in March.

More than 160,000 tickets for the Croke Park July 24 and 25 dates sold out in just 40 minutes.